Archived Advocacy in Action Awards

2025

Juliet Gamero Preston grew up in Utah in a home filled with music – from her father’s Spanish guitar playing to her mother’s Chopin waltzes, practiced in the early hours of the morning while a student of Solveig Madsen. Juliet would also become a student of Solveig’s and graduate from the U of U in Piano Performance where she balanced preparing Prokofiev sonatas while playing Sondheim musicals for Pioneer Theater productions where she worked. As a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, she performed classical recitals and played with rock and jazz bands around Texas. Juliet joined UMTA as a teenage piano teacher and has since served as president of local chapters and on the state board as AIM Chairman and Collegiate Chapter Chairman, producing events such as the Utah Valley Monster Concert and the Duet Derby. She has been a presenter at conferences for MTNA, NCKP and other workshops around the country. As a composer, she recently launched her website JulietPrestonMusic.com to distribute her works for solo piano, 6-hand piano, and sacred choral music. Active as a performer, she has performed with Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Great Falls Symphony, Timpanogos Chamber Music and First Night Missoula, and co-formed the Collaborative Pianists Guild of Utah (cpgu.org) to promote excellence in accompanying and provide educational resources for the collaborative community in Utah. Juliet teaches piano at Utah Valley University while maintaining a recording studio in Orem with her husband Billy Preston. They have released albums of original music for the band Memoryfield (memoryfield.net), and you can see her “rock alter ego” in videos on their YouTube channel.

2024

GERALD RICH “SKIP” DAYNES has made a profound and positive impact on the local and regional community in Utah. It is said that he sold more Steinway Pianos than any other person in history. He had a passion for the arts, music in the schools, and civic responsibility. He was an avid supporter of the Utah Symphony, Utah Opera and Ballet West. He was the major sponsor of the Gina Bachauer Piano Competition and the Moab Music Festival. Both likely would not exist without Skip’s patronage. He was a lifelong member of Rotary and served as its president. Skip was a great advocate of UMTA donating space and pianos at Daynes Music Store for chapter meetings, competitions, performance evaluations, and State Board meetings. He understood the importance of music education and was always on the forefront of any action that supported the private music teacher as well as state music organizations. Daynes music has supplied the two Steinway pianos needed for the UMTA State Conference, free of charge, for decades. This also included covering the cost of transporting and tuning the pianos, a considerable donation of time and revenues. Just one example of the dedication of Skip and his family to the arts in Utah: the family requested that in lieu of flowers at his passing, to please donate to the Gina Bachauer Foundation. “Skip was somebody that loved people, loved the arts, loved music, and that is a wonderful combination. It’s easy to make a living, but it’s tough to make a difference. Skip Daynes made a difference every day of his life.”

2023

Pianist Christian Bohnenstengel feels equally at home in a wide range of musical genres. Christian just performed the Carnival of the Animals with the Orchestra of Southern Utah for their Children’s Jubilee concert (an afternoon outreach concert with many activities for kids such as an instrument petting zoo; the other pianist was one of his college students). He also provides and plays the harpsichord for the annual Messiah performances of the Orchestra of Southern Utah.

A couple of former students and Christian planned and performed in a benefit concert for Allies2Refugees this past spring in the 900 seat Heritage Center Theater. Last spring, Christian also took their piano ensemble to perform at the Saint George Tabernacle.

Dr. Nancy Allred from Utah Tech University and Christian have been organizing and hosting the annual Southern Utah Piano Pedagogy Conference (alternately at Utah Tech and Southern Utah University). Their goal has been to offer the “conference experience” to local teachers who are otherwise not able to travel to major conferences.

Christian regularly performs for the Cedar City Art Walks during the summer and frequently provides jazz music for show openings and other special events at local art galleries. These are all service activities and free of charge.

Praised as “a master of contrasts” (Aalener Nachrichten) and for his ability to “put the audience into a state of sheer awe” (Gmünder Tagespost), Christian’s performances have taken him all over the United States, to South America, Asia, and to Europe. Christian is a founding member of Southern Utah University’s faculty jazz combo Kind of Blue, and he frequently performs with different jazz ensembles and combos.

Christian has performed on public radio, and he has presented at state, regional, national and international conferences. David DeBoer Canfield (Fanfare Magazine) remarked about his Albany Records CD Set No Limits with clarinetist Dr. Jessica Lindsey that the “piano parts are superbly rendered by Christian Bohnenstengel, whose artistry also greatly impresses me.” His latest recordings are Jazz Hands II with the Shawn Owens Project Trio and Southern Utah Jazz Collective.

Christian has been Director of Keyboard Studies at Southern Utah University since 2011. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Missouri Western State University, and he earned Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Christian founded the MTNA collegiate chapter at SUU, and he served as chair for collegiate programs on the UMTA state board.

2022

ASHELEY MADSEN WATABE graduated from the University of Michigan suma cum laude in Violin Performance. As a chamber musician she took 1st place in the Music Teachers National Association Competition and has participated in several professional music festivals such as the National Orchestra Institute, Washington D.C. and Meadowmount School of Music in New York. She is currently a member of The Orchestra at Temple Square and the Millenial Choir and Orchestra and enjoys performing around the Salt Lake valley as a solo recitalist and chamber musician.

Asheley has taught private lessons for over 25 years and maintains a private studio of over 85 violin and viola students who have continued their studies at Julliard, University of Michigan, Interlochen, Tanglewood, BYU, Utah State University, U of U, among others and won. Her students have won the East Coast International Competition, International Young Maestro Competition, Protegé Competition, Radda Rise International Competition and have been finalists in the Fischoff International Competition.

In 2018 Asheley founded “Music with Purpose” a performing group whose purpose is to raise awareness for charitable organizations and give back to local and international communities. In 2019, this group went on a musical humanitarian expedition to Dubai, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia and donated over $17,000 to the I Am Zambia Organization and donated 10 violins and 1 piano to the Namambwe Village.

Asheley is also the founder and director of Sotto Voce Strings, a performing group whose goal is excellence in music while also giving back to the community. This group has performed in Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Austria and recently returned from a performing tour to France and Spain for the IX Encuentro Internacional De Musica Festival this 2022 summer. This group also just returned from a collaborative workshop in NYC with Manhattan School of Music. This Spring 2023, Sotto Voce Strings is looking forward to a performing tour to Southern California as well as being a featured performance in Disneyland.

Asheley’s other interests include the study of law in which she received her juris doctor in 2006 from the University of Utah. When not performing or teaching, Asheley enjoys spending time with her husband and 7 children!

2021

In 2017, HEATHER K. SMITH, NCTM, produced Utah’s first Silent Film Festival for Davis and Salt Lake City Chapters, held at the Bountiful Davis Art Center, where Heather served on the Executive Board.

This year the Davis Chapter repeated a similar event. Eleven films were presented at the Legacy Crossing Megaplex in Centerville. As a Co-chair, Heather organized 23 teachers and over 250 students in this all-day event. Sponsors, ticket- sales, and student participation fees combined to make the donation of two Boston upright pianos a reality for assisted living centers in Davis County.

Heather also organized the Davis Monster Concert, which raised funds for a piano at a Layton community theater. Heather is a certified Change Leader with the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. For her certification project, she oversaw the fundraising and creation of the Lenora Ford Brown recital venue at Bountiful Davis Art Center, including the purchase of two Steinway Grands.

As an educator, Heather was pivotal in expanding RCM adjudications in Utah. She is a member of the College of Examiners for RCM, and serves on the MTNA Development Committee and the MTNA Business Network.

Heather received a Bachelor and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Utah, and a BS in Accounting from Maryville University in St. Louis. She is currently completing an MBA at Westminster College. Formerly the Assistant Director at the U of U School of Music, Preparatory Division, Heather now teaches private lessons and group classes in her home studio in Centerville, Utah.

2020

HEART AND SOUL Executive Director: Ainsley-Marie McLaughlin
In 1994, the mother of Heart & Soul cofounders, Janna Lauer and DougJenson, fell ill and required a care facility. They saw the despair, loneliness,and isolation of those confined away from daily life. Doug had seen Bread and Roses’ healing with music in San Francisco, and together they resolved to bring that blessing to Utah to alleviate the suffering of many who endure their mother’s fate. Heart & Soul brings hope, healing and joy to 28,000 people each year by producing over 1,300 live shows at convalescent homes, senior centers, hospitals, centers for children with disabilities, psychiatric facilities, domestic abuse shelters and prisons.

Heart & Soul shares the talents of over 350 performers across many genres. Heart & Soul seeks to make our world less lonely through music. Our performances enrich the soul and promote wellness through the healing power of the performing arts. Heart & Soul builds bridges, connecting generations, providing an opportunity to give back to our community. In carrying out this mission, Heart & Soul seeks to create a social awareness of people isolated from society. Heart & Soul has been healing human spirits by bringing music and performing arts t isolated members in our community since 1994.

Since March 2020, Heart & Soul adapted its programming to include Heart & Soul Singing Telegrams and Courtyard Concerts in order to serve our most isolated neighbors during this difficult time.

Heart and Soul was featured on KUTV’s “Pay it Forward” in 2017. It’s definitely worth watching: https://kutv.com/features/pay-itforward/pay-it-forward-heart-soul

2019

JACK ASHTON has had a profound effect upon the lives of hundreds of people, particularly the young people of Utah, with his passion for music and for individuals. A member of the Utah Symphony for 49 years, Jack spent twenty-five of those years in a leadership position as assistant principle 2nd violinist. In addition, he taught 30-50 private violin students every week for 60 years, and served on the music faculty at Olympus High School for 35 years, teaching theory and orchestra. He was also an instructor at Westminster, Snow College, and USU.

In addition to teaching, Jack organized 3 orchestras. For the past 31 years, he is the director of the Young Artist Chamber Players, an organization he founded with his brother Ted in 1985 for the purpose of “helping good kids play the hard stuff and get better.” He also conducts the Rocky Mountain Chamber Players. This group annually tours Utah and every three years, Europe. These tours have been life changing for the students and those lucky enough to be in the audience.

“Every once in a while, there is an individual who is so revered that when you say his name, it feels like a proper noun and a verb at the same time. Jack Ashton is one of those people. His integrity, humility and love for everyone is unparalleled, even legendary.” – Deborah Moench

2018

During her teaching career, DEBORAH MOENCH has created a legacy of excellence that has directly impacted hundreds of students, as well as, teachers, and audiences. Deborah began playing at age 9, and taught her first students at age 11. She was chosen as Teacher of the Year by the Utah chapter of the American String Teachers Association and Program Chair for the 2012 Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference. Her acclaim as a teacher was due to hard work and many hours of study with master teachers, Hiroko Primrose, who introduced her to the “Any Child Can” philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki.

She traveled to Matsumoto, Japan to be mentored by Dr. Suzuki and Miss Mori. She acknowledges a long list of wonderful teachers, including; William Starr, Doris Preucil, John Kendall, Linda Fiore, Gabe Bolkovsky, James Stern, and Michael McLean to name a few.

Being a “Student of Deborah Moench” has become a desired credential. From her studio have come 53 performances on Utah Symphony’s Salute to Youth and three concerto All-Star Evenings, featured soloists with the Gifted Music School Orchestra on the national radio program From the Top. Many of her students continue studies in the country’s top music schools and conservatories. Deborah’s commitment to music and arts culture is evident in her founding of the Rocky Mountain Strings (RMS) with Ramona Stirling in 1997. RMS serves to bring concerts throughout the state, as well as, serving as a musical ambassador from Utah with tours throughout Europe, Russia, and South America.

As a founding Board Member for the Gifted Music School, non-profit music school in Salt Lake City, Deborah helped create the first pre-college, full-scholarship conservatory in Utah. She worked with the GMS to found the first Suzuki Strings school in Utah, as well the Deborah Moench Suzuki Strings Teacher Training Program for professional development for educators. Her commitment to high level Suzuki pedagogy and her belief in on-going personal development as a teacher benefits not only teachers associated with GMS, but also teachers throughout the state. “Mrs. Deborah Moench is one of the great violin teachers of our generation — legendary will be the proper adjective in looking back at her life’s work.” Eugene Watanabe, Artistic Director Gifted Music School

2017

EDITH REED has taught hundreds of students over many decades. She has been an active member of Utah Music Teachers Association and the Utah Federation of Music Clubs, serving as festivals chair for the UFMC piano festival for many years until it was felt that it could no longer be done without using computers. The hours spent sorting applications and scheduling the festivals cannot be counted. Edith has taught children in her local church congregation free of charge for many years, inspiring many to serve in musical positions in church. In the UMTA she has been an example to many other teachers of dedication and quality work with students. The quality of performance she has elicited from her students, and the careful attention to the feelings and overall well-being of students meets the highest standards. Her example through performance of her students in festivals, recitals and other performances has helped to raise the bar for others, inspiring us to achieve excellence in our own studios.